Early netsuke weren’t always quite so elaborately ornamental. ‘When you look at paintings that include people wearing netsuke from the 17th or 18th centuries, they tend to be little gourds, probably natural gourds,’ Goodall says. ‘The carved netsuke we think of today really developed ...

This chic contemporary apartment enjoys a glittering location on Avenue Princess Grace in Monte Carlo’s Golden Square, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the legendary Sun Casino Hairpin which features in the Monaco Grand Prix. Monaco’s other famous attractions include Port Hercule...

How do I know if a signature is authentic? Warren recommends that budding collectors purchase a jeweller’s loupe (10 x magnification) and start training their eye by examining pieces. ‘View the signature through the loupe. A fake signature might look as though it was engraved yesterda...

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Of these important works, seven are classified as ‘National Treasures’ — an indication of the importance of the artists to Indian cultural heritage, and as such they are unable to leave the country. Of the remaining lots on offer, almost all were acquired directly from the artists the...

Also, in exhibitions that introduce new schools, groups of artists or national movements, it's the kiss of death to introduce too many artists. People get lost if all of a sudden they have 75 names to learn. There have been disputes in the past about calling these artists Impressionis...

Some choose to collect books that relate to their professional field — anatomy for doctors, geology for oil prospectors, game theory for hedge fund managers — which brings a deeper understanding of one’s vocation, and a lot of pleasure along the way. Collecting in one field, or tracki...

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For many people Old Master paintings conjure a scene of ribald peasant life by Brueghel, most probably without realising that there is a difference between son, sibling, century and even spelling. The reality is that the Brueghels formed a dynasty — a complex family of artists spannin...